Synthesis and surface active properties of a gemini-type surfactant linked by a quaternary ammonium group

Abstract

In this study, cationic surfactants having multi-hydroxyl groups were synthesized by the condensation reaction of octadec-9-enyl glycidyl ether and methyl amine followed by the quaternization with dimethyl sulfate. The structure of the product was elucidated by H-1-NMR and FT-IR. The minimum critical micelle concentration (CMC) and surface tension achieved using C18:1-BHDM surfactant were 1.24 x 10(-4) mol/L and 43.36 mN/m, respectively. The interfacial tensions measured between 1 wt% surfactant solution and n-decane were found to be in the same order of magnitude as those exhibited between micellar solutions and nonpolar hydrocarbon oils. The contact angle measurement result suggests that C18:1-BADM is the best wetting agent among the surfactants tested during this study. It has been observed that the results for foam stability measurement are consistent with those of CMC and contact angle. That is, the percentage of foam volume decrease has been observed to increase with an increase in number of hydroxyl group.